The garbage collection system in Havana is teetering on the brink of collapse, primarily due to the poor condition of garbage trucks. A significant number of these vehicles are out of operation because of a shortage of tires, batteries, and other crucial parts. Providing insight into the grim situation, Alberto Ernesto Rodríguez García, the Provincial Director of Hygiene and Communal Services, explained to the state-run site Cubadebate that "the main issue facing communal activities in Havana today is the technical condition of the collection equipment, most of which are idle due to the deterioration of parts."
Rodríguez García mentioned that a budget of seven million pesos has been approved to purchase between 300 and 400 tires and 126 batteries. This investment is intended to restore the entire fleet of garbage trucks currently operating in the city, thereby improving the sanitary crisis affecting multiple neighborhoods.
The situation is especially dire in areas such as Centro Habana, Plaza de la Revolución, Playa, 10 de Octubre, and Arroyo Naranjo, where waste accumulation has reached alarming levels. Back in 2019, the temporary stabilization of garbage collection in the capital was achieved through the arrival of trucks donated by Japan. However, the gradual wear and tear of these vehicles, compounded by a lack of spare parts, has once again thrown the system into disarray, as reported by the aforementioned site.
"The trucks that were still functioning became overburdened as they attempted to compensate for those already out of service, worsening the situation," Rodríguez García noted during the interview.
Additional Setbacks and Government Response
Exacerbating the crisis, the lack of trained personnel has further complicated matters. Municipalities like Cerro, Centro Habana, and Plaza de la Revolución currently lack directors in the communal services area, affecting both oversight and service quality.
In an effort to alleviate the crisis, the government has resorted to hiring inmates from the prison system to help with garbage collection tasks, although this measure does not address the fundamental shortage of workers and equipment.
On Instagram, user Yuliergraffiticuba posted a video showcasing the accumulation of waste in the streets of Centro Habana, a district frequently visited by tourists exploring Cuba.
Environmental Concerns and Future Plans
In addition to the truck issues, the city's three main landfills are on the verge of collapse, exceeding allowable height limits for waste disposal. According to the director, authorities are conducting studies to improve the situation and adhere to current environmental policies, yet the city remains in a urgent struggle to manage its waste.
Amidst this escalating hygiene crisis, the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel has launched a comprehensive offensive against the unchecked accumulation of garbage in Havana, a problem impacting all neighborhoods. The official newspaper Granma reported that during a recent visit to the Diez de Octubre municipality, one of the hardest-hit areas, the Cuban president announced a strategic plan where "each ministry will sponsor a municipality" with the goal of stabilizing solid waste collection and enhancing the city's sanitation conditions.